Report: Lou Williams to Opt Out of Contract, Become Free Agent

The Philadelphia 76ers are currently gearing up for a postseason run—as of now, they need one more victory to clinch a playoff spot—and so you’d imagine they’d rather not worry about the upcoming offseason, at least not yet. But the Philadelphia Inquirer has a report out that Philly guard Lou Williams will opt out of his contract this summer to test free agency, so at least somebody looks to be thinking about the offseason a little early: “Guard Lou Williams, the 76ers’ leading scorer (14.9 points per game), will opt out of the final year of his contract at the end of this season and become an unrestricted free agent, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. If he were not to opt out, Williams would be due $6.4 million from the Sixers. Said the source: ‘He’s indicated that he’s not going to pick up his option. All indications are that he’s going to opt out.’ Reached at courtside via phone before the 76ers’ game at Indiana on Saturday, general manager Rod Thorn said he had not spoken with his leading scorer about his contract but acknowledged that Williams can opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.”